The definition of tolerance

A few months back, Rick Warren graciously hosted a forum at his church with Senators Barack Obama and John McCain. I thought he did a fine job and really showed that Christian leaders can get beyond arguments and name-calling, and that they can show civility toward people with whom they may not agree. Even though it was clear that, on the core issues, John McCain's positions were more in line with those of the Saddleback crowd, Rick Warren was warm and engaging with both senators.

Recently, Barack Obama asked Rick Warren to give the invocation at his inauguration, which will take place one month from today. I think such a choice shows that Obama is planning on making good on his promise to provide a seat at the table for people of all persuasions and perspectives. However, because of Rick Warren's support of California's proposition 8 (which banned gay marriage) during this past election season, and because of his unwavering pro-life position, many on the left are upset with Obama's choice.

Last night, Melinda and I watched the Dateline NBC interview with Rick Warren. I am always amused when Christian leaders are interviewed by the mainstream media. More often than not, they're treated with subtle disrespect and a condescending attitude. The reporter always finds a way to ask the pastor or teacher about the hot-button issues, like homosexuality, abortion, creationism and politics. Last night's interview was no different.

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I chuckled a bit when the interviewer, Ann Curry, pulled out her notepad with Bible passages that she thought would unravel Warren's stance on gay marriage. "You said that God says in the Bible that a man and a woman should cling to each other for life, but it does not say that a marriage is only between a man and a woman. In fact the Bible says that King Solomon had 700 wives. Leviticus speaks of homosexuality as being a sin, but also orders the death penalty for eating fish that had fins and getting a tattoo," she announced.

Rick Warren calmly explained that the actions of folks like Solomon weren't always right. He also explained that there are civil, ceremonial and moral laws in the Old Testament, and that some of the prohibitions you might read about are not enforced today. I think it would have been funnier, though, if he would've opened his mouth in shock, and said, "Well, that changes everything. I've never heard that before. I guess you're right; there's nothing wrong with gay marriage. I'll call Billy Graham and the Pope after this interview and I'll let them know." All in all, Rick Warren did a good job explaining his position, despite the trial-like nature of the interview.

At one point, Warren said, "Tolerance used to mean, 'I treat you with respect even though we disagree.' Some people want tolerance to mean now that all ideas are equally valid. That's nonsense. There are some things that are right and there are some things that are wrong." I think that's a great point and the crux of the social debate taking place in America right now. Are we going to respect and love people that disagree with us or are we going to demonize them? Throwing the word "tolerance" around is just not going to cut it anymore.

The idea that Rick Warren should be forbidden from giving the invocation at President-elect Obama's inauguration simply because he disagrees with some of the positions that many Obama supporters hold is ludicrous. We keep hearing that it's wrong to judge someone by one characteristic or core position; gay people should be allowed to have the same rights and privileges as everyone else, even if society-at-large is not ready to accept that lifestyle. (By the way, no one is arguing that homosexuals should be denied their civil rights. Obama and Warren, and McCain for that matter, think that marriage should be between one man and one woman, but that all people should be given the same civil rights in our society.)

If we accept the argument that people should be loved and respected because they are human beings, and not because they are exactly like us, shouldn't folks like Rick Warren be granted the same respect? Should he be automatically blacklisted because he's a conservative Christian? Should we throw out everything good that he's done for the AIDS epidemic and for Africa and for the poor? Should we refuse to give him a seat at the table just because he disagrees with some people on a couple of hot-button issues? Should we silence him until he changes the name of his church from Saddleback to Brokeback?

Seeking power that would silence your opposition is not the way of Jesus. It may be the way that politics typically works, but we should always remember that our primary role is to be one of service. Jesus Himself was a servant and he said, "[W]hoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all" (Mark 10:43-44).

I am thankful that President-elect Obama seems to understand the real meaning of tolerance. He recently commented on the controversy surrounding Rick Warren, stating, "It is important for America to come together even though we may have disagreements on certain social issues." Rick Warren, in a separate statement, added, "I commend President-elect obama for his courage to willingly take enormous heat from his base by inviting someone like me, with whom he doesn't agree on every issue."



Source:

Anne Curry, Dateline NBC, "Rick Warren: Pastor in the political spotlight," December 19, 2008. Transcript available online here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28298093/